Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology (IPN)

The MS and PhD programs in Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology combine multiple disciplines at the genetic, molecular, cellular, and organismal level, to answer fundamental questions about animal function and behavior.

Applicants should refer to the Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology Graduate Faculty page for more information on faculty research interests, which include:

• reproductive physiology
• behavioral neuroscience
• neuroendocrinology
• neurodegeneration
• developmental neuroscience

IPN Program Requirements

MS students must complete a minimum of 32 hours of graduate course work; including a minimum of 14 credit hours of formal graduate course work and 6 credit hours of Thesis I.

PhD students must complete a minimum 60 credit hours beyond the master’s degree or 90 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree; including a minimum of 20 credit hours of formal graduate course work and 30 credit hours of Dissertation I.

See below for access to IPN required and elective courses:

     - MS DEGREE COURSES IN IPN

     - PhD DEGREE COURSES IN IPN

Students should enroll in required courses as well as additional courses that provide necessary skills for completion of research projects and that will be beneficial for their professional development.  All students must complete the required online Laboratory Safety Training.  Students with coursework deficits in curricula of prior degrees should enroll in appropriate graduate-level courses.

DOMESTIC APPLICANTS are eligible for an Application Fee Waiver for applications submitted between October 23 - 30, 2023. 

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS to the MS & PhD programs in Biological Sciences with a financial hardship are encouraged to submit a request for an Application Fee Waiver no later than OCTOBER 6th BY CLICKING HERE.  (We will award up to 10 fee waivers to our top applicants.   Selected applicants will be notified by NOVEMBER 1st.  The deadline to apply to our MS & PhD programs is DECEMBER 1st.  Earning a fee waiver does NOT guarantee acceptance to the program.)

Click here to apply to our MS/PhD programs

IPN Timelines

MS Timeline

• Semester 1: Form faculty guidance committee
• End of Semester 1: Create a program of study to define required coursework
• End of Semester 2: Generate a research proposal
• End of year 2: Complete all required coursework
• Final Semester (average 2 years):
  • Complete Thesis
  • Give Department seminar (30-minute)
  • Pass final oral defense

PhD Timeline

• Semester 1: Form faculty guidance committee
• End of Semester 1: Create a program of study to define required coursework.
• End of year 2: Complete all required coursework & take candidacy examination
• End of year 3: Complete prospectus
• Final Semester (average 5 years):
  • Complete Dissertation
  • Give Department seminar (45-minute)
  • Pass final oral defense